In May 2019 my friend Jude Milner called to say that she was in town and wanted to get together--it would be great to get caught up.  She had moved from New York City to Florida, and we hadn’t seen each for more than a year.  I told her that I had bought a mobility scooter and asked if she would mind my using it to meet her.  

To my surprise she said that if I had the time she would rent one for the day and maybe we could do a tour downtown. She had begun using them herself when she traveled and would love to visit some of the places where we used to bike.  

from being pulled backward. Then suddenly the umbrella, freed from its clip, went sailing backward into the lobby while the scooter and I jerked forward.  

Jude and the doorman were beside themselves.  Needless to say, the umbrellas were left behind. But that didn’t mean we weren’t noticable—two plus-size women on motorized scooters riding on the sidewalk up to the subway, off the elevator onto the subway platform.  But this is New York; we’ve seen way crazier and if our presence made people smile, so be it.  

As with my first trip, Jude was impressed with everything from the new South Ferry station to all the changes at South Street Seaport and Pier 17. We took lots of pictures enjoying the sun, the breeze and the beautiful view of the Brooklyn waterfront where I suggested we go on her next visit.

Fast moving dark clouds, however, signaled an imminent heavy rain. To make matters worse, the battery on her scooter suddenly began losing power and then shut off completely--not once but twice!  What was happening to our big adventure?  They had promised us a fully charged scooter, and we hadn’t gone that far to have run out of power. So we sought a restaurant where we could charge the battery while we enjoyed lunch. 

Stone Street is one of the few remaining cobblestone streets in lower Manhattan with buildings dating back to the 1700’s.  With its gaslight lamps, slate sidewalks and antique signage, you can pretend you’ve gone back in time.  The block is closed to car traffic as every restaurant opens out onto the street with additional tables and chairs.  We quickly found a restaurant with an electrical outlet right by the door. No sooner were we settled when the heavens opened.  

Next morning we met at my building, where my doorman snapped a photo of us. We looked ridiculous, and the three of us couldn’t stop laughing.  While we hoped that the umbrellas would be useful against the sun and predicted rain, it was obvious they wouldn’t do either.  And we feared annoyed or envious pedestrians would be cursing us off the sidewalks!

Never the less, I thought we should give it a test run. My efforts were comical; not thinking about the size of the umbrella, I proceeded through the front door at almost full throttle with the umbrella fully expanded and it got caught on the door frame. The scooter stalled

Our goal was the High Line, a popular park built atop an abandoned elevated train track. But now Jude’s scooter was losing power again. Unfortunately, this time, we were in the middle of nowhere.  In three years’ time much has changed on that stretch of the Hudson River Greenway, but that day, we were stuck until we could find another outlet.

There was no way of knowing if an hour of charging would be enough, but after an hour or so we were off again. This time heading to the Battery and Fort Clinton then zipping in and out on the beautifully landscaped pathways in Battery Park City. Picking up the Hudson River Greenway we headed north and damn it if it didn’t start raining again! The only option we had at that point was to get out the rain capes and continue riding as quickly as possible.  It left us wondering how women managed in wagon trains before the invention of plastic! 

Along the Hudson River Greenway

The scooter company was willing to come get us, but they didn’t have a replacement scooter.  So we decided to try to inch our way up to The Whitney Museum on West 11th where we could go inside and hope to plug in one more time.  With any luck that would give her scooter enough electricity to let us complete our day while providing us another dry place to wait out the storm.

The staff at the Whitney was most accommodating, taking pity on two seniors on mobility scooters with dripping wet rain capes—they let us in free of charge while we used their conveniently located outlets—downstairs opposite the coat check area and near their beautiful restrooms. We were so relieved. 

About 45 minutes later, we set out again using one of the elevators available just outside the museum to ascend to the High Line where we proceeded to Hudson Yards.  Fortunately we did make it, but once there Jude’s scooter lost power yet again, so this time we called it quits.  She was thrilled with all we had managed to cover, however, and we decided that all in all it was an excellent day.

The scooter company picked her up with her scooter and delivered her uptown.  There wasn’t room for me and my scooter in the van, which was perfectly fine.  One of our newest, nicest subway stations is right there for the No. 7 line and when all the elevators are working, it’s an easy transition to the uptown trains at Times Square.  We hugged and made plans to do it again when she returned on her next visit.  

Little did we know that would be the last time we would see each other.  

Jude died unexpectedly in her sleep on February 24, 2021, of a longstanding heart condition at the too-young age of 63. It was a great shock to all of us who knew and loved her.  She was a leader in her field of psychotherapy with a specialty for helping people meet the multiple challenges of obesity and body image.  She

was smart, kind, creative, quick-witted and always up for a good adventure right up to the end! She would love our blog and my telling our story from that day. She is very much missed.

For me it was a double blow—my father left us February 23, 2020, but at least our family did get to say goodbye as we were all with him when he passed. 

He didn’t believe in an afterlife, but Jude and I joked about it all the time, feeling confident that there is one.  Often when I’m out on the scooter, I give a wink heavenward and invite them to join me. My dad would be delighted that his gift is making getting around for me so much easier, and Jude would be encouraging me to see and do everything because you just never know . . .

Jude (L) on her scooter looking at Brooklyn